Device for RF welding an IV tube to a catheter lumen

Abstract

A device for welding an IV tube into fluid communication with a lumen of a catheter comprises a grounded metal adapter which is operatively associated with a dielectric collet to clampingly engage and hold a catheter in the collet. The device further comprises a metal mandrel which is partially inserted into an IV tube and positioned so that part of the IV tube and mandrel extend into a portion of a lumen of the catheter. With the IV tube and mandrel positioned in the lumen, the dielectric collet is further engaged to compressingly urge the lumen sidewall into contact with the outer surface of the IV tube. RF energy is then applied to the mandrel to weld the IV tube into the lumen.

I claim: 
     
       1. A device for RF welding an IV tube to a multilumen catheter comprising: means cooperative with said catheter for compressively engaging a portion of said IV tube with a dimensionally incompatible portion of a lumen of said catheter;   an electrically conductive mandrel insertable into said IV tube;   an electrical ground associated with said compressive means; and   means connectable with said mandrel for generating RF energy between said mandrel and said ground to weld a continuous and integral bond at the interface between said IV tube and said catheter.   
     
     
       2. A device for RF welding an IV tube to a multilumen catheter as recited in claim 1 wherein said compressive means further comprises a collet. 
     
     
       3. A device for RF welding an IV tube to a multilumen catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said collet is made of a dielectric material. 
     
     
       4. A device for RF welding an IV tube to a multilumen catheter as recited in claim 3 wherein said mandrel is made of beryllium copper alloy. 
     
     
       5. A device for RF welding an IV tube to a multilumen catheter as recited in claim 4 further comprising: a metal collet operatively associated with said dielectric collet for urging said dielectric collet into compressive engagement with said catheter; and   means to activate said metal collet.   
     
     
       6. A device for RF welding an IV tube to a multilumen catheter as recited in claim 5 wherein said metal collet is made of beryllium copper alloy. 
     
     
       7. A device for RF welding an IV tube to a multilumen catheter as recited in claim 6 further comprising: an adapter having a bore to slidably receive said metal collet for operative association therewith to activate said metal collet; and   means for reciprocally sliding said metal collet within the bore of said adapter.   
     
     
       8. A device for RF welding an IV tube to a multilumen catheter as recited in claim 7 wherein said catheter and said IV tubes are made of polyurethane. 
     
     
       9. A device for RF welding an IV tube to a multilumen catheter as recited in claim 8 wherein said catheter is made of a radiopaque polyurethane. 
     
     
       10. A device for welding an IV tube in fluid communicating with a lumen of a catheter comprising: a support;   a grounded adapter having a tapered bore therethrough mounted on said support;   a metal collect forming a passageway and slidably disposed in the tapered bore of said adapter for operative association therewith;   a dielectric collect disposed in the passageway of said metal collet and operatively associated with said metal collet for clamping engagement with said catheter;   a metal mandrel insertably engaged with said IV tube;   means for clamping said dielectric collet onto said catheter;   means for positioning at least a portion of said IV tube-mandrel combination into said lumen; and   means for applying RF energy to said mandrel for welding said IV tube to said lumen.   
     
     
       11. A welding device as recited in claim 10 wherein said adapter, said metla collet and said mandrel are made of a beryllium copper alloy. 
     
     
       12. A welding device as recited in claim 11 wherein said IV tube and said catheter are made of polyurethane. 
     
     
       13. A welding device as recited in claim 12 wherein said catheter is made of a radiopaque polyurethane. 
     
     
       14. A method for RF welding an IV tube into fluid communication with a lumen of a catheter comprising the steps of: a. positioning at least a portion of said IV tube into a portion of the lumen of said catheter;   b. placing said IV tube and catheter combination in operative association with a device comprising a support, a grounded adapter having a tapered bore therethrough mounted on said support, a metal collet forming a passageway and slidably disposed in the tapered bore of said adapter for operative association therewith, a dielectric collet disposed in the passageway of said metal collet and operatively associated with said metal collect for clamping engagement with said catheter, a metal mandrel insertably engaged with said IV tube, and means for clamping said dielectric collet onto said catheter;   c. activating said device to clampingly engage said dielectric collet with said catheter; and   d. applying RF energy to said mandrel for welding said IV tube to said lumen.   
     
     
       15. A device for RF welding an IV tube to a multilumen catheter comprising: a dielectric collet cooperative with said catheter for compressively engaging a portion of said IV tube with a portion of a lumen of said catheter;   an electrically conductive mandrel insertable into said IV tube;   a metal collet for providing an electrical ground and operatively associated with said dielectric collet for urging said dielectric collet into compressive engagement with said catheter;   an adapter having a bore to slidably receive said metal collet for operative association therewith to activate said metal collet;   means for reciprocally sliding said metal collet within the bore of said adapter; and   means connectable with said mandrel for generating RF energy between said mandrel and said metal collet to weld a continuous and integral bond at the interface between said IV tube and said catheter.   
     
     
       16. A device as recited in claim 15 wherein said mandrel and said metal collet are made of beryllium copper alloy. 
     
     
       17. A device as recited in claim 16 wherein said catheter and said IV tubes are made of polyurethane. 
     
     
       18. A device a recited in claim 17 wherein said catheter is made of a radiopaque polyurethane.